Cancer care funding a boost for regional and rural Victorians

Professor David Hill AO, Director, Cancer Council Victoria, has welcomed the state budget as a positive step in caring for Victorians with cancer.

In particular, Professor Hill commended the state government for its investment in regional cancer treatment facilities.

"Travelling great distances to receive the best treatment can be emotionally and financially draining. By committing to developments such as the new $473 million Bendigo hospital and expanded radiotherapy and chemotherapy facilities in Ballarat, the state government is addressing the extra burden faced by those fighting cancer who live in regional Victoria."

"We know that there are some disparities in survival rates for cancer patients who live in regional areas as opposed to those who in metropolitan areas. A major reason for these disparities is the lack of local, high-quality cancer care facilities in many regional areas.

"The extra funding in the state budget, coupled with the Commonwealth's recent investments in Albury-Wodonga and Gippsland, is a welcome commitment to more accessible treatment facilities for all Victorians," Professor Hill said.

More than one third of all cancers can be prevented, so Professor Hill was pleased to see that Quit was funded $4.2 million over five years to enhance services to assist smokers to quit and Kids - ‘Go for your life' received further funding to continue its successful healthy eating and physical activity program for children managed in conjunction with Diabetes Australia - Vic.

Cancer Council Victoria would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We would also like to pay respect to the elders past and present and extend that respect to all other Aboriginal people.